If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Yes my new AC-225 has aluminum coils. How do I know? I took it apart and looked. If memory serves correctly, my syncrowave 250DX has aluminum coils as well. For that matter I think my lincoln portable does as well. For all practical purposes the only difference you will ever see between copper and aluminum is the hit to your pocket book. Yes I use it in my shop. It is inexpensive, has low power consumption, is small and easy to move (I mounted it on a bottle cart) and it welds great. Just don't try to use 6010 with one.

Comment

I spoke to a Miller tech that works with Stick welders and also the product manager for the Millermatic Group.

Here's what the tech had to say:
I do not know if the Millermatics went to aluminum or not, but it would seem that is the case seeing the weight difference. When a machine is designed, the size of conductor is always factored dependent on the material being used so that temperature rise and duty cycle can be met. I don't think you could ever win an argument with someone that thinks copper is better. The fact of the matter is, if a unit is initially designed for aluminum windings it will last just as long as one that was designed to use copper windings. Big benefits are weight and cost. There really aren't any cons. If the unit was designed for copper and the manufacturer just replaced with the same size aluminum then there could be heat and reliability problems. This was a big problem in the early 80's when copper got expensive and was replaced with aluminum without a redesign.

Here's what the Millermatic Product manager said:
I agree w/ what he said. Some of the Millermatics use aluminum, some use copper, and some use a hybrid of both. It really depends on how it was designed. If it is designed for aluminum windings, it work as well as a copper transformer.

Hope that helps!

Comment

thanks ADMIN
i'm surprised there was not a reference to cooling time's or differences. i would think the aluminum coil would cool faster than the copper one. at the same time the aluminum winding would have to be larger to allow for the same current capacity. just look at the aluminum wire requirements for a house feed VS the same feed in copper.
as i suspected they designed it with aluminum in mind and as such its just as efficient, no surprise there.

thanks for the help
......or..........
hope i helped
sigpic feel free to shoot me an e-mail direct i have time to chat.james@newyorkmetalart.comsummer is here, plant a tree. if you don't have space or time to plant one sponsor some one else to plant one for you. a tree is an investment in our planet, help it out.
JAMES